Adjustable seat post clamp assembly for human-powered vehicles

ABSTRACT

A bicycle seat post assembly including a seat post tube, a tube insert, a saddle, a top clamp, a bottom clamp and a fastener. The seat post assembly is centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post tube. The seat post assembly permit forward and rearward sliding adjustment of a seat, and angular adjustment of a seat with respect to the seat post tube. The seat post assembly accomodates assembly, disassembly and adjustment without the use of tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to the field of seat posts and seat mountingclamps for bicycles and other human-powered vehicles. More specifically,the invention relates to the field of adjustable seat posts and seatmounting clamps for bicycles and other human-powered vehicles which canbe readily adjusted without the use of tools.

B. Description of Related Art.

Cycle riding is becoming one of the most popular sporting activities.This pleasurable activity can be enjoyed by persons of all ages, fromthe very young to the elderly. As the popularity of this sport hasincreased, the varieties of cycles and cycling accessories availablehave also correspondingly increased. The types of cycles which areavailable include unicycles, bicycles, tricycles and multi-rider cycles(hereafter collectively referred to as "bicycles"). For the cyclingenthusiast, bicycles are available for riding on roads, trails, hillsand mountains. Bicycles have also been adapted for indoor use asexercise cycles.

As the popularity of bicycling has increased, manufacturers and ridersalike have sought to make bicycles more comfortable to ride and morelight-weight. One way in which manufacturers have improved the comfortof bicycle riding is to provide bicycle seats and seat posts whichfacilitate "micro-adjustment" of the seat position and angle to suit aparticular rider.

Bicycle seats typically include truss structures to support the saddle.An example of such truss structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,294,173, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.The typical truss structure used today is a shaped wire of appropriatethickness and strength to support the weight of a rider's body underexpected riding conditions. The truss structure is the point at whichtypical bicycle seats are attached to the bicycle frame, via a bicycleseat post assembly.

There are bicycle seats in the prior art which include an angularadjustment mechanism on the seat frame. An example of such a bicycleseat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,611, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Such a bicycle seat includes a seatclamp having a receptacle for receiving a support post. The clampincludes a clamp body which may be rotatably mounted to adjust the tiltor angular relationship between the seat and the post. The tilt of theseat post may be adjusted by loosening of a nut and bolt with a tool,adjusting the tilt of the seat and then tightening the nut and boltcombination. A disadvantage of this type of seat post clamp is that theclamp is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post,and therefore requires extra reinforcement to strengthen the clamp,thereby adding extra weight to the clamp.

Bicycle seat post clamps have been designed which grip a seat trussstructure in a clamp while allowing angular adjustment, and fore and aftadjustment, of the seat. Various seat post clamps are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,983,063, 4,987,764, 5,020,851, 5,123,698, 5,226,624, and5,244,301. Each of these patents is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. These seat post clamps typically have an angularadjustment mechanism offset from the longitudinal axis of the seat post.Because the angular adjustment mechanism is offset, the connectionbetween the post and adjustment mechanism must be reinforced to supportthe weight of the rider. This results in a heavier seat post and createsstress points on the seat post. Another disadvantage of this type ofmechanism is that adjustment of the seat angle requires the use oftools, which must be carried by the rider if the seat angle is to beadjusted while biking. This adds weight to the rider's gear and canresult in inconvenience if a tool is not available for seat adjustment.

Seat post connector members have been designed which clamp both to aseat post and to a seat frame and allow angular adjustment of thebicycle seat. Such a device was disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,283,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Thedisadvantage of connector members is that, like the seat post clampsdiscussed above, they are offset with respect to the longitudinal axisof the seat post. These connectors are, therefore, as heavy or heavierthan seat post clamps. They also require separate tools for angularadjustment of seat position.

Quick-release mechanisms have also been adapted for use with bicycleseat post to facilitate quick adjustment of he angle and position ofbicycle seats. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,378,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This deviceuses a pair of seat posts which are adjustably fixed to each other. Therelative adjustment of the seat posts is made by releasing the quickrelease mechanism, adjusting the seat position and then tightening thequick release mechanism.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,789,172, 4,789,176 and 5,224,726 disclose quick actionsaddle post clamps or assemblies which are designed to allow the heightof a bicycle seat to be adjusted without the use of tools. U.S. Pat. No.4,807,856 discloses an adjustable bicycle seat post with spring-biasedmechanism for adjusting seat height. These devices do not, however,allow the seat angle or the fore-aft position to be adjusted.

A wedge-shaped seat post assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,033,790, in which a clamping member is formed of multiple wedge-shapedpieces atop a seat post. This patent is incorporated herein in itsentirety. The clamping member allows angular and fore-aft adjustment ofa bicycle seat. A bolt or other fastening member is used to pull thewedge-shaped pieces together, thereby clamping the seat truss shafts inplace.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,048,891 and 5,395,155 each disclose a seat positionchanging apparatus in which the truss of the seat is fixedly secured tothe top of a seat post. These patents are incorporated by reference intheir entirety. A separate adjustment mechanism allows the seat angleand position to be adjusted. Adjustment may be controlled by a handlebarcontrol.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,727 discloses a bicycle seat adjusting deviceallowing fore and aft adjustment, and angular adjustment, of a bicycleseat. This patent is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.The bicycle seat post has a U-shaped support at the upper end of a seatpost. A pair of horizontally oriented hexagonal bolts lock a pair ofretainers in place. Adjustment is controlled by turning an adjustinglever to loosen hexagonal bolts, which allows the retainers to rotate,thereby allowing angular and fore-aft adjustment of the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,119 discloses an adjustable saddle mount usingseparate angular and fore-aft adjustments. The angular adjustmentmechanism includes a half spool shaped part which fits into a similarlyshaped recess at the end of the seat post. A pair of bolts locatedoutside the assembly secure the angular adjustment mechanism by grippingclamp bars located atop the assembly. The clamp bars also secure thetruss structure of the seat. This patent teaches the use of a pair offixing bolts with a wide spacing to allow the use of smaller, morelight-weight fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,346 discloses an adjustable wraparound bicycle seatpost clamping apparatus using a single fastener. The clamping mechanismincludes upper and lower rail clamping means. The upper rail clampingmeans has an arcuate surface to facilitate adjustable attachment withthe seat post clamping apparatus. The lower rail clamping apparatus alsohas an arcuate surface corresponding to the arcuate upper surface of theupper end of the seat post. The seat post clamping apparatus includes ahole means extending horizontally through the upper end of the seat posttube, a rod means extending through the hole means, and a wrap aroundmember which covers the upper rail clamping means. The wrap aroundmember is held in place by a detachable securement means engaging therod means and the wrap around member. The securement means is located onthe outside of the apparatus. A disadvantage of this apparatus is thatthe hole mean, which extends through the end of the seat post tube,weakens the seat post tube. The securement means requires a tool toallow adjustment of the angle and fore-aft position of the seat.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,675 and 5,149,034 disclose seat adjustment deviceswhich are controlled by a handle mounted release lever. Both of thesedevices also use multiple posts to position the seat, and thus, like thedevice of Iwasaki and Akamatsu, are heavy and require strengthenedjoints because the adjustment mechanism is offset from the longitudinalaxis of the seat post tube.

Suspension devices have also been developed for use with bicycle seatsand seat post. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,456,295,5,044,648, 5,301,974, 5,236,169, 5,236,170 and 5,397,094, each of whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Most of thesedevices are suitable for combination with other mechanisms which allowadjustment of the height, angle or fore-aft position of a bicycle seat.

There is a need for a light-weight seat post clamp which allowsadjustment of the angle and fore-aft position of a bicycle seat withoutthe use of separate tools and which include a bicycle seat attachmentmechanism that is not offset with the longitudinal axis of the seat postin order to maximize assembly strength and minimize component weight.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustable seat postclamp for bicycles and other human powered vehicles. It is a feature ofthe invention that the adjustable seat post clamp may be adapted to fita variety of bicycle frames and the frames of other human poweredvehicles. It is an advantage of the invention that the adjustable seatpost assembly may also be used with vehicles such as human-poweredvehicles including unicycles, bicycles, tricycles, multi-person cycles,and motorized vehicles including mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a light-weight seat postclamp which is easy to adjust and which allows nearly infiniteadjustment of the angle and fore-aft position of a seat. It is a featureof the invention that the angle and position of the seat mounted to theseat post clamp may be readily adjusted by a rider. It is an advantageof the invention that the angle and position of a seat mounted to theseat post clamp assembly may be readily adjusted without the use oftools.

It is an object of the invention to provide a seat post clamp which isstrong and light-weight. It is a feature of the invention that the seatpost clamp eliminates stress points by substantially aligning itscomponents along the longitudinal axis of the assembly. It is anadvantage of the invention that the seat post clamp is stronger andlighter than other seat post assemblies by using high-strength,light-weight materials and requiring fewer components.

It is an object of the invention to provide a seat post clamp which isreadily adapted to fit different size bike seat post tubes. It is afeature of the invention that the seat post clamp may include a varietyof sleeves, each sleeve being designed to fit a different size seat posttube. It is an advantage of the invention that a sleeve may be made ofinexpensive, light-weight material. It is a further advantage of theinvention that by using different sleeves, a rider may use the same seatand seat post clamp assembly on a variety of bicycles with differentseat tube inner diameters.

It is an object of the invention to provide a bicycle seat post assemblywhich provides seat post position adjustment without the use of tools.It is a feature of the invention that a bicycle seat attached to theinvented seat post assembly serves as a point of leverage to tighten orloosen the fastening mechanism of the seat post assembly. It is anadvantage of the invention that the user of the invented seat postassembly does not need to carry tools in order to be prepared to performseat post assembly adjustment.

It is an object of the invention to provide a bicycle seat post assemblywhich orients the attachment of the bicycle seat truss structure alongthe longitudinal axis of the bicycle seat post, rather than offsettingthe attachment of the seat truss structure from the longitudinal axis ofthe bicycle seat post. It is a feature of the invention that orientationof the bicycle seat post assembly along the longitudinal axis of thebicycle seat post, rather than offsetting it, maximizes componentstrength and minimizes component size and weight. It is an advantage ofthe invention that a strong, light and compact bicycle seat postassembly results.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisspecification in light of the appended drawings.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an assembled front view of one preferred embodiment ofthe invented seat post assembly.

FIG. 2 depicts an assembled side view of one preferred embodiment of theinvented seat post assembly.

FIG. 3 depicts an unassembled front view of one preferred embodiment ofthe invented seat post assembly.

FIG. 4 depicts an unassembled side view of one preferred embodiment ofthe invented seat post assembly.

FIG. 5 depicts an unassembled front view of another embodiment of theseat post assembly.

FIG. 6 depicts an unassembled side view of another embodiment of theseat post assembly.

FIG. 7 depicts a rider tightening the invented seat post clamp assemblysimply by rotating the bicycle seat without the use of any tools.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, a front view of the invented seat post clampassembly can be seen. Assembly 100 includes seat post tube 110, whichhas a frame insertion end 110a adapted to be installed into a receptaclein a bicycle frame, and a seat post assembly joining end 110b, adaptedto have bicycle seat post assembly components mounted to it. Alongitudinal axis 200 extends between the ends 110a and 110b of seatpost tube 110.

The seat post tube 110 may be made from any strong, lightweight materialincluding, but not limited to, composite materials (which include anyresin or plastic with reinforcing fibers, whether made by filamentwinding, injection molding, lay-up, or other processes), aluminum,plastic, steel, alloys, titanium and other metals and materials. If theseat post tube 110 is a composite tube manufactured by filament winding,which is preferred, then suitable fibers will include, but are notlimited to, fiberglass (including E glass and S glass), graphite, boron,Kevlar (generically referred to as aromatic polyamide), nylon,polyester, polyethylene, ceramic, silicon carbide and others. Suitableresins will include, but are not limited to, thermosets (epoxy,vinylester, polyester, phenolics and others), thermoplastics (NYLON,generically referred to as a polyamide, polypropylene, polyurethane,polyethylene and others), metal matrix, and ceramic matrices. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, tube 110 is manufactured from afiber-resin composite. In the most preferred embodiment of theinvention, seat post tube 110 is manufactured by filament winding usinggraphite and epoxy.

The cross-sectional shape of tube 110 may be selected in accordance withthe desired use of seat post clamp assembly 100. In one preferredembodiment on the invention, the cross-sectional shape of seat post tube110 is circular on both its interior and exterior. The cross-sectionalshape of tube 110 may also be non-circular, according to its desireduse, and may include shapes such as ellipsoidal, square, rectangular,triangular, and higher order polygonal shapes. In the most preferredembodiment of the invention, seat post tube 110 has a circularcross-sectional shape with an outside diameter of about one (1) inch andis hollow. It should be noted that seat tubes 110 that are solid,include lattice structure, are honey-combed, are foam filled, or haveinteriors of other configuration may be used. The seat post tube 110 isconsidered a universal seat post tube because in the preferredembodiment of the invention for which a side assembled view is providedin FIG. 2, a seat post sleeve 120 is provided of appropriate diameter tocause the seat post tube 110 to fit into a receptacle in a bicycle framethat is of larger diameter than the seat tube 110. Seat tube insert 120fits between the outside surface of tube 110 and the inner surface ofthe seat tube (seat post receptacle) on a bicycle frame. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, seat post sleeve 120 has a vertical slit120a (shown in FIG. 4), which allows sleeve 120 to more easily conformto slight variations in outside surface of tube 110. It is also possibleto provide a seat post sleeve 120 that is tapered from top to bottom inorder to cause it to fit into a variety of frame receptacles.

Seat post sleeve 120 is slidingly adjustable along tube 110 so as toallow the height of a seat held by the seat post assembly to beadjusted. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, to providesecure mechanical engagement between the inside surface sleeve 120 andthe outside surface of tube 110, both surfaces may be roughened tocontain ridges, grooves, splines, dimples or protrusions which allow theinside surface of sleeve 120 to mechanically engage the outside surfaceof tube 110 when sleeve 120 is compressed against the outside surface oftube 110, thereby preventing tube 110 from sliding through sleeve 120when downward force is applied to the top of seat post clamp assembly100. It is also possible to adhesively connect (such as by use of glueor epoxy) or to integrally connect (such as by welding) seat post tube110 and sleeve 120. As depicted in the figures, the seat post sleeve 120has a rim or lip 120b which is adapted to rest against the edge of abicycle frame into which the seat post tube 110 is mounted. Thisprevents loss of the sleeve 120 into the bicycle frame.

Seat post sleeve 120 may be made of any suitable resilient materialincluding, but not limited to, plastic, metal, composites and others. Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, seat post sleeve 110 ismanufactured from DELRIN (generically referred to as acetals).

Seat post assembly joining end 110b of tube 110 is preferably adapted toreceive a seat post assembly fastening mechanism. In one embodiment ofthe invention, seat post assembly joining end 110b has a threadedaperture, parallel to the z-axis, for receiving a threaded bolt or screw115. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the threaded aperturemay further comprise a helicoil to strengthen threaded aperture and toprovide a tighter fit for bolt or screw 115. In another embodiment ofthe invention, top end 110b has an unthreaded aperture, parallel to thez-axis, for receiving a ball and socket assembly that mounts theremaining components of the seat post assembly to the seat post assemblyjoining end 110b. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, apost insert 118 is mounted into the hollow end of seat post assemblyjoining end 110b by use of glue or epoxy. Other mounting methods may beused, such as mechanical fasteners, friction fitting, or otherwise. Thepost insert 118 has an outside diameter that approximates the insidediameter of the seat post tube 110b for a good fit. The post insert 118has a receptacle 118a which is preferably threaded in order to permitmounting thereto of other seat post assembly components. The post insert118 is of ample height to remain fixed in the seat post tube 110 withouttwisting or pivoting while undergoing the various types of torque to beencountered during cycling. In order to minimize weight in view of thisample height, the post insert bottom 118 is hollow. The post insert 118has a rim or lip 118c to permit the post insert 118 to rest firmlyagainst the seat post tube 110 while a rider's weight is applied to it.The post insert 118 is preferably made from aluminum with a steelhelicoil insert for accepting a steel bolt, but can be constructed fromany suitable steel, composite, plastic, alloy, or other material.

The portion of the seat post assembly 100 which affixes a bicycle seat(preferably via the seat's truss structure) to the seat post assemblyjoining end 110a is referred to herein as the bicycle seat mount 201. Ina preferred embodiment of the invention, the bicycle seat mount 201firmly but adjustably mounts a bicycle seat to the joining end 110b byusing a saddle 111, a bottom clamp 112, a top clamp 113 and a bolt 115.It can be seen in the figures that the bottom of the saddle 111 isadapted to abut the joining end 110b, including abutting the post insert118 if a post insert 118 is included. If a post insert 118 is included,it is preferred that the saddle 111 bottom be recessed so that the postinsert 118 can protrude into, or nest with, the bottom of the saddle111. A front view of the saddle 111 (see FIG. 4) shows that it has adepressed center 111a with raised sides 111b and 111c. Thisconfiguration is referred to herein as a "saddle shape." The preferredsaddle 111 also has an aperture 111d through which a mounting bolt maybe inserted to affix the saddle 111 to the joining end 110b or the postinsert 118. Located somewhere between the raised sides 111b and 111c ofthe saddle 111, it is preferred to have a surface with a mechanicalengagement mechanism 111e, such as knurling, grooves, splines, dimplesor protrusions in order to positively mechanically engage with theclamping mechanism that will be described below at a desired seat angle.

The bicycle seat mount 201 also includes a bottom clamp 112 and a topclamp 113. The bottom clamp 112 has an underside 112c which has amechanical engagement mechanism 112e, such as knurling, grooves,splines, dimples or protrusions in order to engage with the mechanicalengagement mechanism 111e of the saddle 111 when the mount 201 isassembled. The bottom clamp 112 and top clamp 113 each have a right anda left truss receptacle 112a, 113a, 112b and 113b which serve to hold aseat in a desired position with respect to the seat post assembly whenthe mount 201 is assembled. The top clamp 113 and bottom clamp also eachhave a receptacle 113c and 112d respectively through their respectivecenters to accomodate a fastener 115 such as a bolt or threaded rodwhich serves to assemble and tighten all of the bicycle seat postassembly components into a single unit. The fastener 115 protrudesthrough the top clamp 113, through the bottom clamp 112, through thesaddle 111 and into the post insert 118. If the fastener 115 isthreaded, it will engage with thread in the post insert 118 in order totighten the mount 201 to cause top clamp 113 to be held tightly againstbottom clamp 112 so that receptacles 112a, 113a, 112b and 113b arebrought together to exert a clamping force on a seat truss structure tobe held by them. Tightening of the fastener 115 also forces themechanical engagement mechanism 112e of the bottom clamp 112 to engagewith the mechanical engagement mechanism 111e of the saddle 111 in orderto fix the mount 201 and a seat held by the mount 201 in a desired anglewith respect to the bicycle seat post tube 110.

The top 113e of top clamp 113 in the preferred embodiment has anelongate receptacle 113d to receive and accomodate the shape of thedesired fastener head 115a. As the desired fastener 115 is a T-boltwhich has a head 115a which has a greater measurement along one axisperpendicular to its longitudinal axis than along the other axisperpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the use of a similar-shapedelongate receptacle 113d permits the bolt head 115a to fit into the topof top clamp 113. Assembled in this fashion, the user will then findthat by turning a bicycle seat whose truss structure is held by theclamp 112 and 113, the truss structure exerts a force on the receptacles112a, 113a, 112b and 113b, and that this force is transferred throughtop clamp 113 to the fastener 115 through the receptacle 113d to the rodhead 115a, causing the rod 115 to be threaded into or out of the threadsin the post insert 118. By thus turning the bicycle seat clockwise orcounter-clockwise, a user may either tighten or loosen the seat postassembly without the use of traditional tools such as an allen wrench.This permits convenient assembly and adjustment of the invented seatpost assembly without the use of any tool.

It is also of note that the preferred seat post assembly as shown in thevarious figures, the mount 201 and its various components are centeredon the longitudinal axis 200 of the seat post 110. In the prior art, itwas typical to offset any mount assembly used from the longitudinal axisof the seat post in order to provide access for tools used for assemblyand adjustment. In the invention, however, as tools are not needed forassembly or adjustment as described above, it is preferable to align orcenter the entire mount 201 along the longitudinal axis 200. Thisresults in a stronger mount 201 because less torque is exerted on thevarious components than would be exerted if they were offset somedistance from the longitudinal axis 200. It also permits size and weightof the components of the mount 200 to be minimized while maintaining astrong and durable assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative embodiment of the inventionare shown with an exploded front view provided in FIG. 5 and an explodedside view provided in FIG. 6. The alternative embodiment includes a seatpost tube 110, a post insert 118 installable into the joining end 110bof tube 110, a bottom clamp 410, a top clamp 411, a saddle 412 and afastener 415. Note that the top of the top 411a of the top clamp 411 andthe bottom 412a of the saddle 412 include mechanical engagement means412e (such as grooves, knurling, splines, dimples or protrusions) inorder to engage and lock with each other. The saddle 412 in thisembodiment has a concavity on its underside where the mechanicalengagement mechanism 412e is located, and the top clamp 411 is convex onits upper side in order to properly fit with the concavity of thesaddle. The top of the saddle 412 includes a receptacle for the fastener415. Assembly and adjustment of this embodiment is accomplished asalready discussed above, without the use of tools. Note that theentirety of the components of the seat post assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6are centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post 110rather than being offset from it, thus providing the benefits describedabove.

FIG. 7 depicts a rider tightening the invented seat post clamp assemblysimply by rotating the bicycle seat without the use of any tools.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cycle rider 701 can be seen adjusting his seatposition and angle by using the invented bicycle seat post assembly 702.The rider can slide his seat 703 fore and aft within the providedreceptacles of the top and bottom clamp that are designed to clamp tothe seat truss structure 704. This permits the rider to select a seatingposition that will comfortably locate the rider's hips with respect topedal and handlebar position. The rider can also angle his seat forwardor backward, as desired, by adjusting the clamps 112 and 113 withrespect to the stationary saddle 111 and seat post 110. For example,referring to FIG. 5, the rider may select a forward bucketing angle forhis seat by rotating the clamps 112 and 113 toward the left side of thepage. Of course, the entire mount 201 and seat post assembly remainscentered along the longitudinal axis 200 of the seat post 110, but aseat held by the assembly would be angled downward in front.Alternatively, the rider may select a rearward bucketing angle for hisseat by rotating clamps 112 and 113 toward the right side of the page.The seat will remain fixed at the angle selected by the rider because ofthe use of the mechanical engagement mechanism of the clamp and saddle.Again referring to FIG. 7, if the rider 701 rotates the bicycle seat 703in the direction of arrow 705, then the rider 701 will tighten the seatclamp assembly 702 for riding. If the rider 701 rotates the bicycle seat703 in the direction opposite the arrow 705, then the rider 701 willloosen the seat clamp assembly 702 for adjustment or disassembly.

The various components of the mount 201 and the post insert 118 arepreferably manufactured from 7075, 6061 or 7048 aluminum. Other types ofaluminum, steel, alloys, titanium, composites, plastics or othermaterials may be used to manufacture the invented components.Manufacturing methods which may be employed to make the inventedcomponents include machining, extruding, casting, injection molding,filament winding, fiber lay-up, and others.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated inconjunction with a number of specific embodiments, those skilled in theart will appreciate that variations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the principles of the invention as hereinillustrated, described and claimed. The present invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit oressential characteristics. The described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects as only illustrative, and not restrictive.The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appendedclaims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

We claim:
 1. An adjustable seat post assembly comprising:(a) a seat posttube having a frame insertion end and a mounting end, said frameinsertion end being insertable into a bicycle frame, and said mountingend having a receptacle, (b) a post insert having a first and a secondend, said post insert first end being installable into said mounting endreceptacle of said seat post tube, said second end having a threadedreceptacle for receiving a fastener, (c) a saddle having a top and abottom, said saddle bottom abutting said post insert second end, saidsaddle top being concave and having a mechanical engagement mechanismwithin said concave area, and said saddle having an aperture forprojection of a fastener therethrough, (d) a bottom clamp having a topand a bottom, said bottom clamp bottom being convex in shape and havinga mechanical engagement mechanism within said convex area to facilitatepositive locking with said mechanical engagement mechanism of saidsaddle top, said bottom clamp top having truss receptacles to receive aseat truss structure, and said bottom clamp having an aperture forprojection of a fastener therethrough, (e) a top clamp having a top anda bottom, said top clamp bottom abutting said bottom clamp top, said topclamp bottom having truss receptacles to receive a seat truss structureand to clamp the truss structure against said bottom clamp trussstructure receptacles, said top clamp having an aperture for projectionof a fastener therethrough, said top clamp further having an elongatereceptacle transverse to and adjoining said top clamp aperture, saidelongate receptacle adapted to receive a fastener head, and (f) afastener comprising a threaded T-bolt having a head, said fastenerprojecting through said apertures of said top clamp, said bottom clampand said saddle, and engaging said threaded receptacle of said seat postinsert, said head of said T-bolt disposed in said top clamp elongatereceptacle; wherein rotating said T-bolt in a first direction in saidpost insert receptacle causes tightening of said saddle, bottom clampand top clamp between said T-bolt head and said post insert; and whereinrotating said T-bolt in a second direction in said post insertreceptacle causes loosening of said saddle, bottom clamp and top clampbetween said T-bolt head and said post insert.
 2. An adjustable seatpost assembly as recited in claim 1wherein said post insert, saidsaddle, said bottom clamp, said top clamp and said fastener are centeredwith respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post tube.
 3. Anadjustable seat post assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein saidapertures in said saddle, said bottom clamp, and said top clamp arecentered with respect to the longitudinal axis of said seat post tube.4. An adjustable seat post assembly as recited in claim 1furthercomprising a bicycle seat having a truss structure attached to said seatpost assembly so that the truss structure is held by said top clamp andbottom clamp truss structure receptacles.
 5. An adjustable seat postassembly as recited in claim 4wherein rotation of the bicycle seat withrespect to the longitudinal axis of said seat post tube causes a forceto be exerted on said top clamp and said bottom clamp truss structurereceptacles which in turn causes said top clamp and said bottom clamp torotate; wherein rotation of said top clamp exerts a force on saidfastener head, which causes said fastener to rotate; and whereinrotation of the bicycle seat with respect to the longitudinal axis ofsaid seat post tube effects tightening or loosening of the seat postassembly without the use of separate tools.
 6. A seat post assembly asrecited in claim 1wherein said saddle bottom is recessed to permitprotrusion of said post insert therein in order to achieve firmengagement between said saddle and said post insert.
 7. A seat postassembly as recited in claim 1wherein said bottom of said top clamp isconvex, wherein said top of said bottom clamp is concave and receivessaid bottom of said top clamp.
 8. An adjustable seat post assemblycomprising:(a) a seat post tube having a frame insertion end and amounting end, said frame insertion end adapted to be inserted into abicycle frame, and said mounting end having a receptacle, (b) a postinsert having a first and a second end, said post insert first endinstalled in said mounting end receptacle of said seat post tube, saidpost insert having a fastener receptacle on its second end for receivinga fastener, (c) a saddle having a top and a bottom, said saddle bottomabutting said post insert second end, said saddle top being concave andhaving a mechanical engagement mechanism within said concave area, andsaid saddle having an aperture for projection of a fastenertherethrough, (d) a bottom clamp having a top and a bottom, said bottomclamp bottom being convex in shape and having a mechanical engagementmechanism within said convex area to facilitate positive locking withsaid mechanical engagement mechanism of said saddle top, said bottomclamp top having truss receptacles adapted to receive a seat trussstructure, and said bottom clamp having an aperture for projection of afastener therethrough, (e) a top clamp having a top and a bottom, saidtop clamp bottom abutting said bottom clamp top, said top clamp bottomhaving truss receptacles to receive a seat truss structure and to clampthe truss structure against said bottom clamp truss structurereceptacles, said top clamp having an aperture for projection of afastener therethrough, and said top clamp further having an elongatereceptacle transverse to and adjoining said top clamp aperture, saidelongate receptacle being adapted to receive a fastener head, and (f) afastener having a head, said fastener projecting through said top clampaperture, through said bottom clamp aperture, through said saddleaperture, and engaging said seat post insert fastener receptacle inorder to assemble said top clamp, said bottom clamp, said saddle, andsaid seat post insert together; wherein rotation of said top clamp withrespect to the longitudinal axis of said seat post tube causes rotationof said fastener in the same direction.
 9. An adjustable seat postassembly as recited in claim 8wherein a bicycle seat having a trussstructure may be assembled with the seat post assembly so that the trussstructure is held by said top clamp and bottom clamp truss structurereceptacles.
 10. An adjustable seat post assembly as recited in claim9wherein rotation of the bicycle seat with respect to the longitudinalaxis of said seat post tube causes a force to be exerted on said topclamp and said bottom clamp truss structure receptacles which in turncauses said top clamp and said bottom clamp to rotate; wherein rotationof said top clamp causes a force to be exerted on said fastener headcausing said fastener to rotate; and wherein rotation of the bicycleseat with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post tube effectstightening or loosening of the seat post assembly without the use ofseparate tools.
 11. A seat post assembly as recited in claim 8whereinsaid fastener consists of a single bolt which serves to assemble,tighten and retain said top clamp, said bottom clamp, said saddle andsaid post insert in said seat post assembly.
 12. A seat post assembly asrecited in claim 8wherein said saddle bottom is recessed to permitprotrusion of said post insert therein in order to achieve firmengagement between said saddle and said post insert.
 13. A seat postassembly as recited in claim 8wherein said bottom of said top clamp isconvex, wherein said top of said bottom clamp is concave and adapted toreceive said bottom of said top clamp.
 14. An adjustable seat postassembly comprising:(a) a seat post tube having a frame insertion endadapted to be inserted into a bicycle frame, and a mounting end adaptedto receive a fastener, (b) a saddle having a top and a bottom, saidsaddle bottom abutting said seat post tube mounting end, said saddle topbeing concave and having a mechanical engagement mechanism within saidconcave area, and said saddle having an aperture to accommodateprojection of a fastener therethrough, (c) a bottom clamp having a topand a bottom, said bottom clamp bottom being convex in shape and havinga mechanical engagement mechanism within said convex area to facilitatepositive locking with said mechanical engagement mechanism of saidsaddle top, said bottom clamp top having truss receptacles adapted toreceive a seat truss structure, and said bottom clamp having an apertureto accommodate projection of a fastener therethrough, (d) a top clamphaving a top and a bottom, said top clamp bottom abutting said bottomclamp top, said top clamp bottom having truss receptacles adapted toreceive a seat truss structure and to clamp the truss structure againstsaid bottom clamp truss structure receptacles, said top clamp having anaperture to accommodate projection of a fastener therethrough, said topclamp further having an elongate receptacle transverse to and adjoiningsaid top clamp aperture, said elongate receptacle adapted to receive afastener head, and (e) a fastener having a head, said fastener adaptedto project through said apertures of said top clamp, said bottom clampand said saddle, and engaging said mounting end of said seat post tubein order to assemble said top clamp, said bottom clamp, said saddle, andsaid seat post tube together; wherein a bicycle seat having a trussstructure may be assembled with the seat post assembly so that the trussstructure is held by said top clamp and bottom clamp truss structurereceptacles; wherein rotation of the bicycle seat with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said seat post tube causes a force to be exerted onsaid top clamp and said bottom clamp truss structure receptacles whichin turn causes said top clamp and said bottom clamp to rotate; whereinrotation of said top clamp causes a force to be exerted on said fastenerhead causing it to rotate; and wherein rotation of the bicycle seat withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post tube effectstightening or loosening of the seat post assembly without the use ofseparate tools.
 15. A seat post assembly as recited in claim 14whereinsaid fastener consists of a single bolt which serves to assemble,tighten and retain said top clamp, said bottom clamp, said saddle andsaid post tube in a seat post assembly.
 16. A seat post assembly asrecited in claim 14wherein said saddle bottom is recessed to permitprotrusion of said post insert therein in order to achieve firmengagement between said saddle and said post insert.
 17. A seat postassembly as recited in claim 14wherein said bottom of said top clamp isconvex, wherein said top of said bottom clamp is concave and adapted toreceive said bottom of said top clamp.
 18. An adjustable seat postassembly comprising:(a) a seat post tube having a frame insertion endadapted to be inserted into a bicycle frame, and a mounting end adaptedto have a bicycle seat mounted to it, (b) a post insert having a firstand a second end, said post insert first end being installable into areceptacle in said mounting end of said seat post tube, said second endhaving a fastener receptacle for receiving a fastener, (c) a bottomclamp having a top and a bottom, said bottom clamp bottom abutting saidsecond end of said post insert, and said bottom clamp top having areceptacle for receiving and holding a seat truss structure, (d) a topclamp having a top and a bottom, said top clamp bottom having areceptacle for receiving and holding a seat truss structure, said topclamp bottom abutting said bottom clamp top, (e) a saddle having a topand a bottom, said saddle bottom being configured to abut said top clamptop and permit pivotal adjustment of said top clamp top with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the seat post tube, and (f) a fastener having ahead, said fastener securing said saddle, said top clamp, and saidbottom clamp with respect to said seat post tube; wherein said postinsert, said saddle, said bottom clamp, said top clamp and said fastenerare centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat posttube. wherein a bicycle seat having a truss structure may be assembledwith the seat post assembly so that the truss structure is held by saidtop clamp and bottom clamp truss structure receptacles; wherein rotationof the bicycle seat with respect to the longitudinal axis of said seatpost tube causes a force to be exerted on said top clamp and said bottomclamp truss structure receptacles which in turn causes said top clampand said bottom clamp to rotate; wherein rotation of said top clampcauses a force to be exerted on said fastener head, causing saidfastener to rotate; and wherein rotation of the bicycle seat withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post tube effectstightening or loosening of the seat post assembly without the use ofseparate tools.
 19. An adjustable seat post assembly as recited in claim18wherein rotating said fastener in a first direction in said postinsert receptacle causes tightening of said saddle, bottom clamp and topclamp between said fastener and said post insert; and wherein rotatingsaid fastener in a second direction in said post insert receptaclecauses loosening of said saddle, bottom clamp and top clamp between saidfastener head and said post insert.
 20. A seat post assembly as recitedin claim 18wherein said bottom of said top clamp is convex, wherein saidtop of said bottom clamp is concave and adapted to receive said bottomof said top clamp.